HC Deb 20 January 1972 vol 829 cc656-7
23. Mr. Rose

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many British Servicemen have been killed or injured in the area of Dhofar and the South Yemen during the past year; and whether he will make a statement.

Lord Balniel

Since 1st January, 1971, five British serving personnel have been killed and two seriously injured in the Dhofar area of Oman. There has also been a number of minor casualties. There are no British Servicemen in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.

Mr. Rose

Will the Minister explain how Servicemen come to be there in the first place and what is the extent of the British commitment in that area? Are we acting in accordance with any treaty obligation or is this a freelance action not authorised by the House? Will the right hon. Gentleman explain the precise reason for a British presence in the area?

Lord Balniel

The hon. Gentleman will know that we have a treaty of friendship with the Sultan of Oman, and it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to loan personnel to friendly countries to work with the forces of those countries. Oman is no exception, and the Sultan is faced with a rebellion in Dhofar which is organised by revolutionaries who have been trained abroad.

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